Urgent need for foster carers in Hartlepool - fresh drive launched for Foster Care Fortnight

This week marks the end of the annual UK ‘Foster Care Fortnight’ which has taken place from May 11 to 24 this year.

To mark the occasion fostering chiefs in Hartlepool have reminded people of the pressing need for more foster carers in the town.

Jane Wilson, the council’s fostering team manager, said it is a very rewarding experience and urged people not to rule themselves out if they are interested in any way.

She said: “All our foster carers are fantastic and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank them once again for the vital role they play.

“However, we still urgently need more of them.

“We need caring, loving foster homes for the children and young people in our care on both a short-term and long-term basis.”

Council chiefs said they are especially keen to hear from people who can care for brothers and sisters together, support mums who need help to look after their babies, or help teenagers who need some structure in their lives.

Ms Wilson added: “Being a foster carer is very rewarding and we’ll give you all the training and financial and emotional support you’ll need to do that.

“There’s no ‘typical’ foster carer, so please don’t rule yourself out, whatever your age, background or circumstances.”

Council chiefs have reported in recent months steps taken in the area to continue to increase the number of foster carers in the borough.

Banners displaying messages about fostering have been displayed in the town, in a bid to catch the eye of more residents, while positive fostering messages were planned to be put on the side of buses.

It was previously reported by council officers as of December 2019 the total number of approved foster carers in Hartlepool was 149, of whom 40 were approved as connected carers (a known and connected person to a specific child).

At that time Hartlepool foster carers provided placements for a total of 184 children and young people in none connected provision, and 49 children/young people through connected foster carers.

There were also 20 young people in ‘staying put’ placements, which are care leavers living with their previous carers post 18 years of age.

From October to December 2019 four new mainstream foster carers were approved, taking the total number of approved carers for 2019/2020 up until then to 12, above the target of 10 new foster carers for the year.

Council chiefs stressed continuing recruitment momentum was key to providing more placement choice in the area, and during the same period the council had 10 initial enquiries in regards to becoming a foster carer.

They also had 19 prospective carers in the assessment process, across both connected and mainstream foster carer positions.

It comes after last week Joyce and Joe Melrose, who have fostered 30 Hartlepool youngsters in their ten years as foster carers, encouraged others to come forward and join them as foster carers in the borough.

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